baja_turtle
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Charging electronics? Problems?
Just wondering if anyone has experienced probs with charging electronics?
Laptop charges fine, but other things with same outlet, notsomuch. Bose headphones, electrical flashlight, some batteries - all look like they are
charging properly & then when you go to use them, don't work...weird...
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Woooosh
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Incoming low voltage problem most likely. Have you stuck your finger in the socket to measure your incoming voltage yet? If you yelp it's only 110,
if your hair stands on end- you're good at 120.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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DanO
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You might want to try a multimeter instead. Just saying.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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MrBillM
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Inverter ?
I'm assuming (always dangerous) that the question involves using charging adaptors with an inverter.
There are SOME (few) charging adaptors that don't work with other than TRUE sine-wave inverters. Makita was notable in that respect years ago.
Backwoods Solar, among others, used to maintain a list of devices that fell into that category. I haven't looked lately. Try a few searches.
Personally, I've NEVER had a problem with charging adaptors and I've got an unbelievable number of the Dang things. So many, that I've got an
oversize Shaving kit bag that is filled with nothing but chargers. The one STRANGE problem I've had in the past with electronics was an ORION 13" TV
that wouldn't work on a small Statpower Inverter. The same inverter that DID work for my RCA, Sanyo, Samsung and Sylvania. I brought the TV down and
thought it was defective, but it worked fine on my Trace. Quien Sabe ?
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baja_turtle
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Good to know, Whooosh! I'll try that
[Edited on 2-23-2009 by baja_turtle]
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TonyC
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Do they charge ok in other outlets? Do you have other things in that outlet? Loose connection in the outlet, power adapters, bad recharge batteries,
exceding amps for that outlet maybe? If it works fine in another outlet on a different circuit breaker, outlet problem, or it could be what we call a
FM problem......Freak'en Magic. Sorry couldn't help it.
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baja_turtle
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MrBillM, thanks for the reply. Not sure I understand what you mean about using a charging adapter with an inverter. Another example is my portable
ipod speakers. they work fine plugged in, but the battery is not recharging...
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baja_turtle
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Thanks Tony
Tried in various outlets. None of the electronics (ipod speakers, bose headphones, camera batteries) take a charge in any outlets in the house though
they all work when plugged in. On the other hand, laptop computer charges just fine...guess it must be an FM problem
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MrBillM
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As I said, that's the trouble with "Assuming"
Living beyond the commercial power lines and "Real" electricity (as a friend once described it), I "assumed" the problem might be the one infrequently
encountered with DC to AC Inverters.
Buena Suerte.
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Woooosh
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| Quote: | Originally posted by baja_turtle
Good to know, Whooosh! I'll try that
[Edited on 2-23-2009 by baja_turtle] |
Hey- at least I didn't throw inverters at you 
If your incoming house voltage is not in the correct range your electornics are designed for- they may work, but not have enough extra voltage to
charge the batteries fully. Electronics don't like low voltage and they live shorter lives due to the "brown outs".
Check with the multi-meter, not your finger- and see if you are getting enough juice. I don't most of th etime at my house in Baja Norte. If it's
low or high you can get an APC Battery Back-up box on ebay that regulates the power. You can plug six or more electronic chargers/components into the
UPS (Uniterrruptable Power Source) and be fine. I have four of these in use. Or you can stick your finger in the socket.
There are other active threads on power too.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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baja_turtle
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Thanks mrbill - now i know a little something about inverters
Thanks Wooosh - that is super-helpful. I think that's the problem...do you happen to know how we can ensure against this when we're building our
house? Will do a search on those threads...thanks again all for the advice!
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BajaNuts
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TonyC
..Freak'en Magic. Sorry couldn't help it. |
F & M Electric 
We thought about that for our business name (for that exact reason...!)
but chose another more explainable name instead.
Our company motto " we ain't fast, but we are expensive!"
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Woooosh
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| Quote: | Originally posted by baja_turtle
Thanks mrbill - now i know a little something about inverters
Thanks Wooosh - that is super-helpful. I think that's the problem...do you happen to know how we can ensure against this when we're building our
house? Will do a search on those threads...thanks again all for the advice! |
sorry charlie- you get from CFE the voltage quality they give you. Unless you are off their grid you have no control. I'm sure there are expensive
whole-house ways to treat the power fluctuations just like some peolpe treat water for their whole house while others do it at the tap. I use the tap
method for electricity and place the UPS boxes where I have the most sensitive electronics and chargers.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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CaboRon
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There are whole house UPS systems that can be instaled at the service entrance . The power problems are multifold. Here at my casa I have 137v.
this morning. Other places in town have low voltage. The other problems are improper grounding and phaseing issues (which can destroy digital
devices).
CaboRon
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MrBillM
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Grounded ?
That reminds me of a story.
Back when the Home Depot opened in Mexicali a friend of mine stopped to buy some Romex since the price "seemed" to be better. He found the reason was
that the "Mexican" version didn't include a separate ground wire.
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TonyC
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If the voltage checks good, another problem maybe noise (harmonics) riding on the AC signal. Don't think it's a polarity problem, cause your laptop
works. Causes for noise on the line, usally bad grounds. Does your laptop plugin have a ground, same as the other equipment that don't charge? I
think Woooosh is right, AC out of tolerance. Remember it does not work in any of your outlets, start at the circuit breaker box on your checks. It may
be your box.
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